Fashion news

I have a funny love/hate relationship with most "style" blogs. While a lot of them are fun to look at, and some genuinely interesting, I just find something a bit narcissistic about every fashionable young thing dedicating an entire website to their various outfit changes. Also, too many of them are just fashion, you know? I mean, I realise that's why they're "fashion" blogs but to me fashion encompasses heaps more than just labels, "must haves" and PayPal accounts. Gnarlitude, however, is one style blog that I read compulsively. The project of Florida native Jen Hanley, the website goes by the tagline of "sleep deprivation and stories of my bullshit youth" and is pretty much an aggregator for everything I'm into; shit-hot heels, Rock'n'Roll, denim and leather, Alexander Wang, art and interesting people.There's something a little bit scruff (which I can wholly relate to) and hard-edged about Jen's sense of style and you gotta love a girl who peppers a fashion blog with posts about The Kills, Motorhead and RTX.

What you see here is the the slick range of sunglasses created in a collaboration between Gareth Moody, of fashion label Chronicles of Never, and eyewear designer Graz Mulcahy. Produced as part of Moody's new collection "Black Noise, White Rain", the sunnies come in three unisex styles that are each timeless in their damn sexiness but, with their thick rims and strong shape, are on trend also - without having even a hint of the shutter-shades about them. The range is also top quality and features oversixed hinges and indestructable, scratch resistent lenses - does such a thing exist? Apparently so and I'm going to put it forward as a must for anything looking to be thrown (sans case, in all reality) into my handbag. The sunnies will be available nationwide in selected boutiques etc from September - just in time for summer yo - so keep an "eye" out for them. Oh yes I did.

When the purse strings are beginning to get painfully tight and when a visit to the local Salvo’s proves to be a bit of a splurge (it happens and I've been there), then it’s time to whip out the old arch nemesis of creatively challenged women everywhere - the sewing machine - and do it yourself. But don’t fret, this time the painfully bulky appliance and convoluted instruction manual need not be your only friends (or fiends, as the case may be). Burdastyle is an online heaven for the seamingly challenged (pardon the pun), full of free and simple sewing patterns that range from reusable grocery bags to swimsuits; as well as forums, hints and tips and an easily decipherable guide to your machine's seemingly innumerable flicks and switches. With new patterns added weekly, it’s no wonder the site boasts over 90,000 registered members. Now the only hard bit is threading that evasive needle.

I know what it’s like to have a Vinnies kind of budget. My lowly barista wages don’t allow me to splurge on the latest designer must haves. But fear not my fellow bargain hunters. Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival is on this week with a string of events around the city. The Ladies of the Loft are hosting a very special Thursday night tonight, with a preview of the new online designer hire website Dressed Up. So now you can look the part without paying the price and hire designer goodies by the likes of Illionare, Manning Cartell and Wayne Cooper. If you haven’t already, RSVP to rsvp@theloftsydney.com before it’s too late! More details at www.rsff.com.au

Ever wanted to see inside the closet of Sydney's most fashionable? Well, now you can....if you show what's in yours. This month Swap my Style goes VIP with a designer label swapping night. That "special occasion" dress not seeing as many said occasions as you thought it would? Realised those Miu Miu heels you just-had-to-have probably are a bit too small? If you're not wearing it but know someone else will love it then bring it along to Zeta bar on August 27, enjoy a few drinks, steal a few minutes in the complimentary pamper room, and walk away with an item that will be done sartorial justice. Tickets to the event are limited but luckily YEN has five double passes to give away, if you'd like one simply tell us what's been your best fashion score. For more info on Swap My Style's VIP night, head here.

This season's must-have nail colour? Pink of Hearts of course! OPI is once again releasing this limited edition shade; the sales of which go directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Last year the pretty, suit-anyone colour helped raise over $25,000 for breast cancer research but ladies, with our talons combined (and the fact that POH - as I like to call it - will look great with the bold florals and lace we'll be seing this spring) I reckon we can do even better this time around. Pink of Hearts is available from David Jones stores and selected beauty salons until October.